I lead the way as Wilhelma and I search the long abandoned Crypt for the Idol. Utilizing my mini-map, I already know where the exit is, so we just search everywhere but in the direction of that. The air is stale and musty, a distinct odor appearing whenever we disturb the layer of dust carpeting the cobble-stone floor.
Remind me to check Wilhelma for spore inhalation once we get out of here, who knows what kind of mold grows down here.
*ScanNing: 30 DisTinct SpeCies fOund, tHe spOres of SeveRal oF Them poSe SeveRe heAlTh riSks to hUmanOids.*
Oh boy. Let's pick up the pace. We enter a side room. Most of the corridors within the Crypt have alcoves embedded within the wall, in which coffins are housed. Heavily tarnished copper plates upon the sides of each coffin displays the name of the occupant.
This room however... The coffins that might have been housed here are reduced to scattered planks strewn about the room. Among the debris, I can make out what seems like scraps of cloth and bits of bone. The smell is... interesting.
"Oh no! The coffins, the bodies!" Wilhelma rushes over to the one intact coffin in the room.
"... This is the coffin of the last Brother." She reads off of the copper plate. I can sense the faint aura of magic issuing from the coffin.
"It's in there. The Idol." I tell her, joining her beside the coffin. "H-how?" She asks, bewildered. "Can't you sense it? The Divine?" I ask her, trying to gloss over my mistake. Wilhelma stares at the coffin for a moment, before nodding. "When I focus, I can tell there's something there."
I breathe a sigh of relief internally. "We're going to have to open the coffin to get to it though..." She looks pensively at the floor. "C-could you?" She asks me. "Help me with this side, and we'll get it out of the alcove, easier to open then." She finishes, though I can tell what she really wanted me to do.
We struggle getting the coffin out, but it's not long before it's gently placed on the floor. "Now... I think you know this part better than me?" She looks to me. I hesitate for a moment, finding the words.
*Dear All-Mother, maY you foRgive me for my acTions, but tHis is neceSSary for the GOod of those tHAt sTill liVe.*
Ah, thanks. I clasp my hands in front of me and kneel before the coffin. "Dear All-Mother, may You forgive me for my actions, but this is necessary for the good of those that still Live." I glance over to Wilhelma, who repeats the prayer after me.
"Now, we open it." I get up and yank the lid off the coffin. It's a simple design, no hinges, as open casket funerals aren't really a thing in this World, and as such one can just lift the lid right off. Wilhelmina gasps at the sight within.
The coffin is... empty... at least, it doesn't contain a body. The inside is stained black, the only thing inside it is a fifty centimeter (~19,6 inches~) tall statuette of the All-Mother. It's covered in the same black substance that stains the rest of the coffin.
I gently take out the Idol. I can feel the faint magic within strengthen slightly when I touch it. "W-where's the body?!" Wilhelma exclaims. I examine the soot-like substance that now coats my hands as well.
*Solid Miasma - Dark Elemental Magic that has solidified. Often found at sites where Dark Elementals have Spontaneously Generated.*
... D-did the Brother become a Dark Elemental?
*Possibly, the Dark Elemental Generated around the Idol, consuming or displacing the body in the process.*
I see... I've never encountered Elementals before... What I know of them is therefore limited. "What is the matter, Millibelle? You seem distracted." Wilhelma gently places a hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my introspection.
"I'm fine, I'm just running through the possibilities. You see, this stuff, it's left behind when Dark Elementals are born." I hold out my hand for her to see. She reels backwards. "How can you touch that?!" She exclaims, her voice tinged with fear. Looking at her, it's not the Solid Miasma she's afraid of... It's me.
*Solid Miasma normally inflicts Poisoned (Great) upon those who touch it.*
You... could have mentioned that before. "What are you?" She cries out. She's becoming hysterical. Seems the stress of everything is overwhelming her. Poor thing. "Please, Wilhelma, relax." I activate my Serene Presence. She visibly relaxes once the effect takes hold.
"Let me tell you the truth." I quickly store the Idol, just for now. "I'm not here to hurt you or anyone else. I don't know how much news of the World reaches your village, but have you heard that a Monarch recently has appeared?" Wilhelma nods, her eyes big and her pupils dilated. I-is she lost in the sauce? I push the thought aside.
"Well, I'm the Monarch. I was travelling, and happened to sense something from within your village." I half lie, let's embellish the truth a little. "I went to investigate, and found you all sick and dying, with an incomplete Church, and a monster among you." I pause, Wilhelma seems to have calmed down enough to realize I'm not a threat.
"Now, I'll help you save your village. Restore the Church, defeat the Dark Elemental that most likely roams the shadows of the village, and be on my way." I deactivate Serene Presence. "I hope we can keep my true identity a secret between the two of us, at least until the monster is dead?" She nods, her breaths deep.
"The Idol?" She asks as she gets to her feet, having knelt this entire time. "I'll carry it for now. Let's get out of here, and restore the Church." I Create some water to wash the Solid Miasma off my hands, turning the water a murky purple as a result.
Wilhelma follows me to the exit. As we leave the Crypt, we end up outside the village walls. "Let's hurry. If the Elemental becomes aware..." Wilhelma urges. We both make our way to the gate. "Wilhelma, Healer! There you are! The entire village's been looking for you!" A guard, a different one to the pair that were on duty last night, exclaims.
Wilhelma and I glance at each other. "Oh yes, the Healer wanted to show me how to perform some rituals, I don't want to hold her up longer than necessary, so..." She quickly cooks up a half truth. "But what were-" Wilhelma snubs off the guard and goes back into the village.
I give an apologetic gesture to the guard as he stands there, bewildered by the event that just transpired. "I'm going to have to apologize to him later..." She mumbles as I rejoin her brisk walk towards the Church. I notice that there's no sigil upon the front anymore. I guess it's related to the Idol upon the Altar?
Once we're both inside, Wilhelma shuts the doors behind us. She lets out a sigh. "Okay, now, we need to clean the Idol, I'll let you handle that part. I'll prepare the Altar in the meanwhile. Now, sermon is in a few hours. If we get everything ready til then, you can be on your way once the Elemental is defeated." She seems... eager get rid of me. Not that I blame her.
"Actually, how long have you had the issues with the sickness?" I ask her as I borrow a basin to clean the Idol in. Wilhelma gives me a look, before she realizes. "You know... Only a few weeks. It started once I placed that carving upon the Altar, It'd been empty since the Brother died, possibly the crazy man ensured he was buried with it."
"Where did you even get that carving?" I continue, storing the now fouled water and creating more to continue washing. Wilhelma is sweeping the ground around the Altar, gathering up the innumerable wooden splinters that surround it. "I... I bought it from a travelling trader. Apparently they're charms against attacks from Noctus, who has his domain to the east, near the border of Harmek." (~meaning Harmek is kinda squeezed between the Lairs of two powerful monsters~)
She sighs. "I thought... Why not put it within the Church, try to save money. Each house is meant to have one, but I... I thought we could charm the entire village by placing it on the Altar." Her voice cracks. Seems that saying that out loud made her realize...
"You couldn't have known! If anything, it's the fault of whoever forgot to issue a new Acolyte to this village." I tell her. Although, disasters are rarely one singular event. I know that, having been the catalyst of one such Chain...
She looks at me, tears streaming down her face. A twenty-five-ish old woman, set to fulfill a role she's not had any training or guidance in. Of course she'd make mistakes. I finish cleaning the Idol. It's clean now, though there's still something missing. "Do you need help, Wilhelma? I can take care of the Altar, you just... let it all out, okay?" I offer. She shakes her head. "You need to fix the pews. I know you're stronger than you look, and I don't want to involve more people than necessary in this."
She points to the door opposite to the one leading to the hatch. Within the room, several stacks of pews sit, ready to be brought out. Let's make this quick, then. I store all the pews, then go about storing and replacing the beds with pews. "Where do I put the beds?" I ask. "Within the same room, you should be able to-" Wilhelma turns around, noticing the lack of beds.
"Uh-" She looks at me before seemingly giving up. "Same room, gotcha" I ignore her bewilderment and place the beds in neat stacks within the room. Seems they're meant to be stacked... Is this in case the army needs lodgings or something?
*Affirmative*
Oh. Makes sense.
Now, the area around the Altar is free of debris, the Idol is clean of lethal contaminants, and the pews are back in place. "Now, let me just heal you." I tell Wilhelma. "The Crypt contains several dangerous molds. You must have breathed in at least some." I insist. "Fine. We finished much earlier than I thought we would." She huffs.
"I apologize for my manners. It's just..." Way too much?" "Yeah. Oh, that feels good." I cast Miracure upon her. Now then. "How do you know such things though?" She asks me, gently replacing the Idol upon the Altar. "Call it monster instincts." I reply.
Once the Idol is upon the Altar, it glows slightly. The light then fades. Wilhelma looks dejected. "I thought it'd be more flashy when I did that. You notice anything with your instincts?" I consider for a moment. The magic needed to power the Blessing of Truth is immense.
*The source of the Blessing of Truth is the Devotion soaked up by the Idol, Devotion could be considered Divine energy generated through worship, though it is actually a form of non-elemental Magic.*
Aha. "It won't recover unless we get the village to pray." I tell her. "So, we need to hold a sermon in order to restore it... C-could... I know it's inane to ask a monster, but..." Wilhelma fidgets. "I want it done properly! It's not been done properly ever since the old Brother died!" Fuck- I'm no better at this than you!
"We're getting over our heads here, if we weren't already. Cheezus."
Oh, there you are. I mean, I'm pretty sure 'In over my head' is my perpetual state of being.
"Just- get World Knowledge to bootleg a sermon for you? Isn't that usually how We do it?"
I sigh. "I'm not sure how well it will go, but I'll give it a shot. I mean, I'm meant to be a Healer..." At least I have plenty of time to prepare...
*Scanning... Sermon Guide found.*
I think my sudden fish-eyed look worries Wilhelma, but the influx of information suddenly within my head is honestly overwhelming me. "I'm fine... just... We need candles, incense, do we have any vestments?" I blurt out. "We... do not. We don't have any of those things..." Her eyes become watery.
"Are we- going to fail, after we've come this far?" She's on the verge of another breakdown. Poor girl. Hell, I'm pretty sure that if it wasn't for Shadow, I'd join her crying. "We'll... figure something out." I sigh. "Okay, I can handle candles and to some extent incense with my magic. Do you have any old scraps of cloth? I could see if I can make something resembling a vestment."
She nods, takes a deep breath and runs to fetch the cloth. Now, I have a moment to figure out how the fuck I'm going to accomplish this. Let's see...
By the time Wilhelma returns carrying an armful of cloth scraps, I've sort of accomplished the lighting. Stringing web all around the Church, and spraying water on it causes the Light spell I've cast to reflect brilliantly on all the beads of water. Using Control: Water, I keep it from dripping down.
Now, Incense is meant to relax, I can do the same with my Serene Presence. Now I just need to make some Octopus Cloth. I really should keep extras around...
"How?" Wilhelma stares as the scene I've created in awe. "Water covered silk thread, reflecting the light from the Light Spell." I quickly explain. I seek out the biggest piece of fabric and get to work.
"What are you making?" She leans over my shoulder. "I'm making Octopus Cloth. I'll show you how the vestments are meant to look, and then you can use this to mimic that." "So you... just make that as if that was nothing?" She looks at me with wonder in her eyes.
"Hey, I'm the Monarch, Magic is sort of my entire thing." I respond. Wilhelma nods, sagely, as if she knew that already.
Fifteen minutes to the start of the sermon, and both Wilhelma and I are dressed in vestments. "It's odd. You feel naked even though you know you're not." She mumbles as she inspects the Octopus Cloth. "You get used to it." I tell her. Okay, I'm really starting to feel the pressure now. Hoo...
I quickly run the sermon through in my head. The critical thing would be to not fuck up the speech part of it, everything else should be covered. I nearly hop out of my skin as the double doors to the Church slam open. "Wilhelma! What's the meaning of this?" The village Elder yells out, before he takes in the scene before him.
"The Healer, Millibelle, offered to hold a proper sermon for us, to celebrate the recovery of the lost Idol!" Wilhelma announces. I can see a heap of people, most likely the entire village, standing behind the Elder. Gasps and cheers issue through the crowd.
"I... see... Though I'm afraid we can't pay extra for this, Healer. We've already pooled together most of the coin in the village to repay you for last night." He scratches his chin in thought. "No need, I'm not interested in wealth. The only thing I request of you is that everyone partakes in this sermon." I tell him.
I'd hate to bankrupt the village, besides what would I do with money? I mean-
"Money can buy things."
... You're right.
"You heard the Healer! Everyone, we're finally having a proper sermon!" The Elders mood becomes incredibly positive at these news. The entire village, easily over a hundred people in total, flood into the Church, oohing and aahing at my work.
I sense it. Somewhere in the crowd- no, below them? In the shadows! Of course!
The doors close, a hush comes over the congregation. I take a deep breath, and begin.
"We are here today to show our Gratitude to the Divine. Most of all, to the Mother of All, She who binds the World together, ensuring Unity among the Elements. Without Her, there would be nothing. Not even Death would exist without Her Life."
"We bow our heads in Prayer, that our Devotion may reach the Divine, and that through our Devotion, They may Protect us from harm." I bow my head, my hands clasped in front of me. Everyone mimics my movements. Two minutes of silence. During which, I sense a swell of energy behind me.
I don't know if anyone sees what I see, but tendrils of magic creep across the walls, floor and ceiling of the Church. Coming together at the doors opposite me, my hair stands on end as the entire scene whites out.
The excitement I feel soon twists into dread. As I regain my sight, wisps and plumes of smoke rises from the middle of the congregation. Shouts and cries of fear spread through the crowd.
"Everyone! Flee immediately! The source of the disease which afflicted you has been exposed! I'll handle it!" I order. As the crowd flees outside, the doors slamming shut behind them, the Dark Elemental reveals itself.
Rising from the floor, a tall form emerges. A featureless head upon an arm-less torso, supported by improbably long and thin legs. It 'sees' me, and a gaping maw forms where a mouth would be on a humanoid. Issuing from it, a lashing tongue, and a bone-chilling screech.
'Scryeeeeeeee~!'
I actually have to cover my ears. Something's off with that scream. I chance an inspection.
Unnamed
Species: Nightcrawler (Elemental - Rare)
Gender: NA
Status: Enraged (Normal)
HP: 800
MP: 1000
SP: 800
Attack: 200 (150+50)
Armor: 400 (-40 Vs Light)
M.Attack: 1000Â (800+200)
M.Armor: 500 (-50 Vs Light)
Speed: 220
STR: 150
CON: 400
INT: 800
WIL: 500
DEX: 200
Skills:
Magic Affinity: Dark (Great) - Damage Immunity: Dark (Normal)
Condition Resistance: Poison (Grand) - Condition Resistance: Paralysis (Grand)
Condition Resistance: Disease (Grand) - Condition Resistance: Blind (Grand)
Shadow Creep (Great - Unique(Nightcrawler)) - Soundless (Normal)
Fey Step (Lesser) - Stealth (Grand)
Consumptions Kiss (Normal - Unique(Nightcrawler)) - Tongue Action (Normal)
Cry of the Damned (Normal)
Spells:
Blind (Lesser) - Dark String (Normal)
Soul Chaser (Normal) - Shadow Grasp (Normal)
Enshroud (Lesser) - Dark Nova (Lesser)
Social Titles:
Mad - Acolyte
Defiler
*Nightcrawler
A Dark Elemental often found in and near desecrated Temples or Churches. Said to be the reborn form of the one who desecrated the site it haunts, forever punished for their misdeeds. It hides within the shadow of its victim, emerging from it once the victim falls asleep to drink their blood. The Nightcrawler is the only non-humanoid vector for the disease Vilecough, and it is theorized that it originated from the monster spreading it when it feeds, before the disease started spreading by itself.
Rarely hunted, due to the immense danger the monster poses. It is an excellent source of Whole Dark Crystals though, so the occasional Hunting party does gather with the express purpose of hunting them.*
*Rank: 6 Stars (though many argue it should be 7 Stars)*
I'm not liking some of those Skills. I'm guessing Cry of the Damned is amplifying its screams. As I remove my hands from my ears, a barrage of black orbs slam into me, it's using Dark String! Augh! I falter for a moment as I reel from the onslaught.
In a moment, it is upon me, its tongue lashing at me. Not giving me time to recover, are you? Shit.
"My turn."
I'm once again thrown to the back of my own mind. Shadow grabs the Nightcrawlers tongue, but it's too slippery, sliding out of her grasp. Seemingly, it didn't like that, and it backs off for a moment, the tongue flicking in and out of its maw, not unlike a snake or lizard.
Not wasting the moment, Shadow makes some minor adjustments to our body. Claws burst from our fingers, and I can feel the itching as our teeth morph and sharpen, our mouth becoming a toothy grin.
Just remember to undo that once you're done.
"I will, don't you worry." Shadow mumbles. A newly sharpened tongue makes it hard to speak coherently. Raising one of her hands, a Radiant Beam issues from it. It pierces the Nightcrawlers chest, leaving a sizable hole.
'SQRUEeEeEe~!'
Another scream, this one loud enough to make Shadow lose control of our body as the very air warps around the Nightcrawler.
"Oh fuck- It- I'm going behind the scenes, that scream- It's causing severe issues-"
I feel Shadow retreat deep within me. My entire body is shaking, trembling as I look upon the Nightcrawler.
*Status Updated: Afraid (Lesser)*
I just want to run away. I don't want to do this anymore!
*Status Updated: Terrorized (Lesser)*
The Nightcrawler slowly approaches me, like a spider that's unsure if the fly is entirely stuck in its web. My entire body is screaming to run away, but I can't move a muscle. Its tongue flicks in and out of its mouth. It takes another tentative step.
I just barely manage to keep it together. I- I have to defeat it! Wilhelma- the villagers- they all depend on me to kill this thing! I strain against every instinct in my mind. I can feel Shadow struggling to keep hold of us. Come on!
It's standing before me. With a kick, it sends me sprawling.
'Rehehe'
It laughs... It's certain of its victory. Even if it has a hole in its chest from where I hit it. I... I have an idea... I slowly raise my arm, fighting the paralyzing terror I'm feeling. I don't aim at the Nightcrawler though.
*Skill Learnt: Condition Resistance: Afraid (Lesser)*
I manage to get off one Radiant Beam. It hits the water-soaked silk I've strung up around the room. An explosion of Light ensues as the Radiant Beam refracts off of the drops, splitting up and hitting more. The Nighcrawler spins around, staring aghast at what's happening.
One beam hits, punching a pinprick hole in its leg. Then another, another, and another. A barrage of needle-thick beams of Light keep hitting it.
*Spell Created! Refraction Beam (Lesser) - A Light-Water Spell, fires a beam of Light that can be split and redirected by the user to create more beams. Higher Tiers Increase Damage and control-ability.*
*Social Title Earned: Magic Maker - User has created a new Spell, and is heralded as a hero among mages. Makes anyone who study Magic have a positive attitude towards the User. (Exceptions apply to those who might dislike the User for other reasons).*
The Nightcrawler backs up, trying to get away from the cascade of Radiant Beams.
"Hurry! Whilst it's occupied! Finish it!"
I feel the terror that's been gripping me lose some of its sting, seeing its source afraid like this. I raise both my hands this time, and fire two Refraction Beams. Each of them split and redirect, becoming like a shotgun blast of Light. One takes out the head, other takes out the upper torso.
I feel a warmth in my chest as the Nightcrawler tips forwards, its jet black body rapidly becoming paper white before dissipating. All that's left is a large, black gem. I- I did it! I killed it! Tears of joy are streaming down my face. I undo the changes to my body and collect the gem the Nightcrawler left behind. A Whole Dark Crystal... I can feel the Dark Magic within it respond to my own.
Wearily, I push open the doors to the Church. The whole village is gathered outside, and burst into cheers once I appear. Wilhelma appears from the crowd, almost throwing herself onto me in a big hug. "We heard the cries, and thought it was all over, but then that Light! Surely, it was the Divine who aided their Servant in her time of need!" Wilhelma tells me, her voice raised for all to hear.
She winks at me. I see, thanks for that. I confirm. "The Divine aided me, behold the proof that our Gratitude aid the Divine! I would be dead now, if not for you." I tell the crowd. Hopefully, this half-lie will cement their future Worship of the All-Mother.
"Thank you, for everything." Wilhelma smiles. "I need to be going now, my calling as a Healer-" I begin.
"You'll not stay to regain your strength?" The Elder asks, interrupting me. "I'll be fine. I'll just take it slow for a few days, but I really can't stay in one place for too long." I smile at him. "Very well. If you insist." He backs off, not wanting to impose upon me.
"Oh, the-" Wilhelma begins. "Keep it, use it for the sermons. I'll try to get in touch with the Acolyte of another town, see if they can't finally send you all a replacement, or a teacher, perhaps." I interrupt her. She nods.
I walk through the crowd, they part to let me pass. Approaching the gates, I turn and wave before leaving through them. Now, just to get out of sight... I walk until I'm certain they can't see me anymore, and quickly switch to my flight form, taking off into the skies.
"Well, that certainly was interesting. I'm sorry about what happened back there."
No, no, I understand. We both were too afraid. I'm certain that if you weren't there Shadow, I'd be too overwhelmed.
"Now, I personally vote that we fly straight to the Divine Spring. We can't land in every village We encounter. By the sound of things, the Church's gone to shit if that village's been without their Acolyte for fifty years."
It certainly seems off. I suspect the only thing keeping that village safe was that they hadn't replaced the Idol with something else. It was still close enough to somehow work. But why? If the protection of the Blessing of Truth is so important, why would the Church just let them go without a Brother or Sister for so long?
"Well, it's no use worrying about it for now. Luckily, that Nightcrawler was one of the monsters we needed."
Makes me suspect that all the other monsters I'm supposed to be looking for are causing trouble, and the Divine want me to hunt them down.
"Most likely. It's not anything we can complain about though. I mean, We are the enforcer of Balance, no?"
You sure changed your tune.
"A traumatizing event like that might do that to a split personality. It made me realize that if we didn't do anything, who would?"
I'm just glad We managed to do that without anyone getting hurt.
I continue the flight towards the location of the Divine Spring in silence, resting my mind after todays ordeal.